December 2016

The festivities are in full swing this time of year, and while we’re enjoying the merriment all around, we can also have tendency to overeat and get stressed. This also true for our beloved furry friends!

It’s important to take our pups into consideration over the holidays. We know you’ve got a little something special under the tree for Fido, but what about keeping him safe during these hectic holiday times?

The festivities are in full swing this time of year, and while we’re enjoying the merriment all around, we can also have tendency to overeat and get stressed. This also true for our beloved furry friends!

It’s important to take our pups into consideration over the holidays. We know you’ve got a little something special under the tree for Fido, but what about keeping him safe during these hectic holiday times? Chances are they’ll love the extra attention, snuggles, toys and adventures but we’ve put together our top safety tips to keep in mind moving into the holidays.

#1 EXERCISE

A good long walk or game of catch can do wonders to tire our pups and help then settle during the busy times of the day, or later when the guests arrive.

#2 INTRODUCTIONS

If you are planning on hosting guests, or have friends and family that are happy to have your pup tag along, a little meet-n-greet goes a long way. Take a minute to let your pooch get acquainted, this will help everyone to be at ease in their new company.

#3 PRESENTS!

We don’t doubt that you include your pup on your shopping list, we do too! But, keep in mind it’s best to source toys from reputable companies that have manufactured their products specifically for doggy destruction. Also, ensure they aren’t chewing or ingesting any small pieces of any other toys that might be lying around Christmas morning. Last year we pup together a holiday shopping guide for dogs.

#4 DECORATIONS

One of the magical things about the holidays are the beautiful decorations and lights. Remember that trees, baubles and lights/cords can all be hazards. Make sure your tree is secure and any tempting chew-worthy decorations are out of reach. It’s also a good idea to keep any electrical cords out of harm’s way as well as any poisonous greenery like holly, mistletoe and poinsettias.

#5 LOUD NOISES

Whooo-hooo! Celebrations often come with some loud noises. Our pups can be sensitive to loud music and the pops and clangs that come with holiday gatherings. If your dog get startled or has some noise-anxiety, try to have a quiet space for them that is away from the booming sounds. Here’s hoping it doesn’t come to it, but if Fido tends to run and hide, make sure that doors are closed and backyard gates are secure. Here’s what to do if your dog is lost.

#6 FOOD

Hopefully as dog owners we’re all aware of the majorly toxic foods that we need to keep away from our furry friends, we’ve even made a handy list of the main toxic foods for you dog such as, chocolate, alcohol and sugar. Here’s 5 of the best homemade treats you can make for your pooch.

#7 TRAVELLING

Make sure to travel safe with your dog if they're coming with you to visit family and friends. Some dogs love the car and others have a harder time. If your pup tends to get stressed while in the car check out our tips for travelling with a stressed dog. Alternatively, consider dog boarding if travelling with your doggy friend is just too difficult.

October 2016

Halloween is for our furry best friends too, right!? After all, they’ve got the whole ‘trick-or-treat’ (more like ‘trick-for-treat’) thing down pat. Seeing as how us humans have so much fun dressing up...

Halloween is for our furry best friends too, right!? After all, they’ve got the whole ‘trick-or-treat’ (more like ‘trick-for-treat’) thing down pat. Seeing as how us humans have so much fun dressing up in the most creative, ghoulish and sometimes just downright embarrassing costumes this time of year, we figure our dogs shouldn’t have to miss out on all the fun. Let’s be honest, some of the dog costumes out there are even better than ours, and they generally steal our thunder anyway!

So in celebration of Halloween, and dogs in costumes in general, we took a peek through Instagram and put together 10 of the cutest dog costumes we could find. These should offer up ample inspiration and tons of laughs along the way.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram where we’ll be sharing pics of all of our decked out Halloween pups that come in and see us. We know how creative you guys are, and we won’t be disappointed!

Here's a peek at some of the great costumes we've seen come in this week:

It’s that time of year again and the Pawliday Season is approaching. First up, Thanksgiving, a time when us humans tend to reflect on what we are grateful for in our lives. But what about our furry friends?

It’s that time of year again and the Pawliday Season is approaching. First up, Thanksgiving, a time when us humans tend to reflect on what we are grateful for in our lives. But what about our furry friends? If we had to guess, we’re sure there is plenty that they are thankful for too!

So without fur-ther ado here are our top 10 things our four-legged friends are likely to be most grateful for this time of year:

1. Sneaky treats under the table

Just remember which foods are not so good, or even toxic for our pups. Check out our list of toxic foods and remind Uncle Jim that some foods are definitely a no-go!

2. A cozy fireplace to curl up in front of

Chances are this is something most of us humans are grateful for too. Is there anything better on a cold and stormy evening!?

3. More days you are at home during the holidays

Everyone wins when it comes to days off, make sure to enjoy the time off with your furry friend.

4. That pile of leaves to romp through

You know they just can’t help it, they have to run wild through that perfectly piled bunch of leaves which usually results in us having to re-rake the lawn, but it was worth it, right!

5. Delicious new smells and things to inspect everywhere

With all of that cooking happening, our furry friends are bound to be loitering in the kitchen, waiting for that opportune moment to catch some crumbs. They’re probably also thinking, “who’s new shoes are those at the door, must take at least one for inspection!”

6. A chance to show off when company arrives

Again, this one could go both ways. As proud owners we’re always keen to display our exemplary training and obedience skills, and our reward-seeking hounds are likely to be just as keen, and grateful for the extra attention.

7. Long walks in the crisp cool air

There’s nothing like that fresh, crisp air and dog walking in those long afternoons. Especially when the sun sticks around and you stop somewhere for a pumpkin spice something or other treat!

8. Extra belly rubs

Holiday visitors are guests inevitably mean more belly rubs! “Okay, how about I just lay here and you rub my belly for the whole evening, sound like a plan?”

9. That warm sweater you left out to snuggle up in when you leave

Sound familiar? You come home to find that your pup has been enjoying that cozy sweater just a smuch as you. It’s hard to be mad though when they look that cute, time to snap a pic for Instagram!

10. Winter socks to chew

It’s a classic one that all dogs are happy about and thankful for all year round really. We’re guessing the winter socks are the best though, more to sink their teeth into, shake side to side and toss in the air. We know when just one sock disappears it has to come down to either the hungry dryer, or Rover.

September 2016

It’s sometimes astonishing and always entertaining when we see how search engines try to auto complete our search queries. Sound familiar? You start typing something then all of a sudden Google is recommending how to finish your sentence. Thanks Google, I didn’t know “why does my dog take my spot when I get up” was such a common question.

It’s sometimes astonishing and always entertaining when we see how search engines try to auto complete our search queries. Sound familiar? You start typing something then all of a sudden Google is recommending how to finish your sentence. Thanks Google, I didn’t know “why does my dog take my spot when I get up” was such a common question.

Seeing as how most dog owners have gone to Google for their canine questions at some point, we thought we’d compile some of the funniest and perplexing dog questions searched online; mostly for our own entertainment, but also to get to the bottom of things.

Here they are in alphabetical order:

Why does my dog always lick me?

She’s being affectionate.

It’s a habit.

You’re skin is salty.

Why does my dog bury bones?

He’s saving them for later.

Wants to ferment the raw meat.

Why does my dog chew on his paws?

She has an allergy, possibly to something in the food she’s eating.

Why does my dog eat grass?

This is usually normal behaviour for dogs.

He could also be a bit bored.

Why does my dog fart so much?

You’re pooch might be a bit stinky from eating some hard to digest sugars, fibre and starches.

Why does my dog wink at me?

August 2016

You just know when your furry friend isn’t feeling well. Sometimes it’s glaringly obvious, in the form of projectile vomit or diarrhea (oh the joys of dog ownership) and other times it’s a shift in energy or temperament, that vulnerable look you get; you know the one. Either way, we immediately find ourselves wishing Fido could just speak to us and tell us what’s troubling him.

You just know when your furry friend isn’t feeling well. Sometimes it’s glaringly obvious, in the form of projectile vomit or diarrhea (oh the joys of dog ownership) and other times it’s a shift in energy or temperament, that vulnerable look you get; you know the one. Either way, we immediately find ourselves wishing Fido could just speak to us and tell us what’s troubling him. For some tips and cues to help in this department check out our recent post: How to Talk to Your Dog.

Next time you find yourself wondering what you can do to soothe your pup in their time of need, check out these 7 natural home remedies that you should be able to whip up in a breeze. Although in some cases not a substitute for professional attention, (it goes without saying, in extreme cases it’s best to see your vet), there are some great at-home options to treat common ailments such as upset stomachs, smelly ears or dry skin.

1. Diarrhea

If you’re dog has never had a bought of diarrhea, consider yourself an anomaly! When this strikes try a rice water tonic and stick to a bland diet for 24hrs. Boiled rice and canned pumpkin (not the sugar-added pie filling type, mind you). Then gradually introduce regular food.

2. Upset Tummies

Just like us humans our pups can have sensitive tummies at times, especially after a round of antibiotics. Restoring healthy gut bacteria can be helped by a tablespoon or so of plain yogurt. Also try prunes (pitted!), pumpkin and electrolytes to help with rehydration.

3. Smelly Ears

Try these DIY essential oil wipes when things get a little funky in or around the ears (this is especially common in hotter weather). Grab a couple drops of lavender, tea tree or geranium diluted on a clean washcloth. All of these have antibacterial qualities that will help keep things fresh and odor-free.

4. Itchy Skin

Dog dandruff? Reach for some oatmeal, Vitamin A or chamomile. Just be sure that your dog doesn’t suffer from grain or oatmeal allergies before trying this one out. In this case, an oatmeal compress could backfire, of course. If you have some chamomile tea on hand brew a batch and after it’s cooled transfer it into a spray bottle to soothe any irritated skin areas.

5. Dry Skin

Fsh oil to the rescue! They love the taste. And it works. You’ll probably even like the fishy kiss you get as a thank you, despite yourself.

6. Minor Scrapes and Cuts

If you notice a little scrape or two after a good forest romp (you’ll pup will most likely be licking the area) clean the scrape or cut as thoroughly as possible and apply an antibacterial ointment or solution, like Neosporin, to combat any chances of infection.

7. Minor Sprains or Pains

After too much exercise or an exuberant play at the dog park, an epsom salt compress can help soothe mild aches and pains for our pooches. If your dog is bathtub adverse (most are) make a washcloth compress and apply it to the sore spot while giving some extra cuddles, of course!

Do you have any tried and true remedies that have worked wonders? We’d love to hear from you. Tweet us at @aleguppets

Treats! We all love ‘em. Apart from feeling like we’re doing something nice for our dogs, offering them a little nugget of pleasure in each bite, treats also come in handy when it comes to training and reinforcing good behaviour. Let’s face it, most of us probably have a dedicated doggie treat drawer that we reach into daily.

Treats! We all love ‘em. Apart from feeling like we’re doing something nice for our dogs, offering them a little nugget of pleasure in each bite, treats also come in handy when it comes to training and reinforcing good behaviour. Let’s face it, most of us probably have a dedicated doggie treat drawer that we reach into daily. We definitely keep a well stocked drawer at the dog daycare Toronto

With that in mind, it can be scary when you read some of the ingredients included in some biscuits and treats. And your pup can’t read. It’s only fair you consider the ingredients for them. If you’re looking for a healthier and often more cost-effective alternative try one (or all five) of these recipes below. One of them manages to combine bacon and peanut butter - the purest sign you love your dog is managing to make those cookies without devouring all the ingredients yourself.

July 2016

Okay, we know, this all sounds a little silly. But really, it’s amazing how our love for our pets makes us feel compelled to start social media accounts documenting their every cute move. You know you’ve shared more than one cute pup pic of your f

Okay, we know, this all sounds a little silly. But really, it’s amazing how our love for our pets makes us feel compelled to start social media accounts documenting their every cute move. You know you’ve shared more than one cute pup pic of your furry friend.

So, in the spirit of all things fun and silly, here are our top 10 dogs who (chances are) have more Instagram followers than you. Their accounts are worth a perusal, the cuteness-factor, and all around creativity, is off-the-charts.

I lived in Japan for a while. I went to teach English and came armed arrogantly with nothing. No knowledge of their customs or language. No reasonable image of the place - just a general understanding that ninjas, sumos and extraordinarily wide-eyed comic characters lived there. I wanted to go with no preconceived notions. I succeeded there.

There are some real parallels to my initial experience overseas and how we relate to our dogs. Other cultures have their own language and communication and we have ours. There are overlaps or similarities. And there are troughs and disparities. We may perceive something very basic to translate perfectly enough, and often we’re rewarded. But sometimes we get unexpected reactions because our wires get crossed.

Unintended communication

From my first trying day where I had to helplessly guide a patient waiter outside a restaurant and point feebly to the plastic display of look-alike food in the window, I pieced together some very remedial Japanese. In my first few months, my limited Japanese, lead inevitably, to a lot of sign language and motioning. I found that non-verbal language too, can offer some surprising responses that are worth . . . well . . . talking about. The motion that we Westerners use to wave someone or something away – palm facing down and a furtive flap of the fingers – meant the exact opposite there. As you can imagine, this lead to multiple confusions when kindly people wishing to practice their English and welcome me saw my rather startled and pained expression.

What was clear to me to be a very direct gesture to mean one thing meant the absolute opposite to my Japanese friends, who found it equally impossible that I should understand anything other than what they’d intended.

Pantomime excited silliness with your hands over their head and a dog may perceive a threat. Stare lovingly into a dog’s eyes and they may feel challenged. A direct gaze held purposefully to animals can indicate something very different than it does from one human to another. Yell for your dog to come back and all they may hear is that you’re shouting. Not, perhaps, a great invitation to return.

Sit. Stay. Come. Off. No. They’re all common words our dogs know. Many dogs have quite considerable vocabularies, and I truly believe we don’t give them enough credit for their potential – if you doubt this, check out this quick video of Chaser, the dog who knows 1000 words and uses deduction to fill in the blanks of what he doesn’t know.

We all have a second language

But what the average dog really responds to are visual cues. Your posture. A hand gesture. You may or may not be conscious of all of the cues you give. But your dog is watching casually – unless you have a collie, in which case there’s nothing casual about it. Years ago, at a consultation, a client mentioned to me that his dog knew whether it was a weekday or a weekend. Yet, he said, he couldn’t figure out how. This changed when one morning as he was combing his hair. He caught a glimpse of his dog in the mirror. As soon as he saw his human buddy bring comb to head, he sighed deeply, relaxed his shoulders and turned to lie in the hall. That was it. The simple cue that told him they weren’t immediately going to the park, but just for a quick on-leash stroll around the block. His owner had never noticed before and never put the two events together.

Watch and learn

Dogs have become our best friends because they’ve watched us for eons. For centuries, even thousands of years ago when they would exist on the outskirts of communities, looking for scraps in what would amount to a trade for protection, dogs have learned about us and studied our mannerisms perhaps more than we have theirs. What they can tell us – and each other – with their body language is really important for every dog owner to know. It’s something every one of our employees learns in training before they join us. Some of the signs are subtle. Some aren’t. You may have seen this Dog-to- English crib sheet on our Pinterest page. If you haven’t, it’s worth a peek. If you’re speaking to your dog, there is a limit to his or her vocab – unless he’s Chaser, of course.

But how you speak to them is something they have internalized over millennia of hanging out with us.

There's a ton of meaning in tone

Using up-speak at the end of a command as though forming a question will convey to a dog exactly what it conveys to us. “Sit?”, suggest that you’re not telling a dog to do anything. You’re requesting. They may consider it. And they may not. Likely not. Repeating a command over and over in a short space of time will also receive diminishing results. It’s a common malady, the repetition of commands. It’s easy to fall into. But it’s a bit like speaking English louder in a foreign country to improve their understanding. Use a command with a hand gesture. Use it once directly. Pause. Hold yourself confidently. Take your time. It’s not always easy to remember when your dog – or another – is being an imp. But it’s amazing how much better the lines of communication get when you do.

You may be in for a surprise

One client claimed his dog had a name for him. I thought at first that he may himself be soon claimed by people in white suits and a butterfly net. But he persisted. His dog had a bark that he only used only when he was around. His family confirmed it. They never heard it when he wasn’t around. I have to admit, it sounds a bit like a name to me. When we ask our dogs to listen to us, perhaps it’s just as important that we watch and listen to them. Watch their cues and they’ll thank you too. You’ll never fully understand your dog, and he’ll never fully understand you – after all, you trail behind him with a poop bag picking up after him – but he loves you anyway. But watching him more carefully, you may learn something you’d never noticed – and never expected. That’s really the fun of it all.

May 2016

Ticks Toc. There was a time, a long time, when Toronto was gloriously free of the little Lyme disease-causing little jerks. But that time has faded and black legged ticks carrying Lyme disease have been found in several areas across Toronto.

In this article we'll discuss how to protect your dog from Lyme disease.

Ticks Toc. There was a time, a long time, when Toronto was gloriously free of the little Lyme disease-causing little jerks. But that time has faded and black legged ticks carrying Lyme disease have been found in several areas across Toronto.

This isn’t to alarm you. Lyme disease is still mercifully rare in town. Consider this merely an alert. Lyme disease is not fun. Our long-time client and all-star vet Bev Bateman at Eglinton Veterinary Facilities can attest to its nastiness herself. She was diagnosed with Lyme disease (actually she cleverly diagnosed herself) several years ago before it threatened to force her to stop work. We’d really like to thank her for helping guide us with some thoughts for this article. There isn’t a test for people in Canada, unfortunately, and this can make it difficult to catch quickly. Because she was able to diagnose herself, she’s thankfully active and co-running her wonderful practice. She was not infected in Toronto and we truly hope that with a little awareness, nobody is in the future and nor are your dogs.

The good news for dogs is that there is a test. And it’s dogs, of course, that we’ll focus on here.

You’ll see in the news that there is a list of parks in Toronto in which ticks have been found. The immediate response is to avoid those parks. But the truth is that these little devils have migrated, quite uninvited, from the upper United States where they have largely and miraculously respected the border previously. Once they’ve made their way into an area, they can hitch a ride on squirrels, raccoons, birds and yes, even dogs. It’s really best to arm yourself with a little knowledge. And here it is, a little knowledge:

Long grasses, beaches and wooded areas are most likely to harbor ticks (they like the same real estate we do)

There are some findings in Toronto, but they are still relatively infrequent

The surrounding areas, especially as we city folk start to migrate to the country in the summer are more likely to be host to ticks

Ticks don’t fly or jump. They can only crawl. Creepy bastards.

Once a tick is infected with Borrelia, it remains a carrier until it dies – something we’d encourage it to do quickly

Only 5-10% of dogs found to be infected with Lyme are ever actually symptomatic

While we dog owners have traditionally embarked on flea and tick from Spring to Fall, the mild and unpredictable winter we had is prompting some vets, including John Reeve-Newson of the Animal Clinic, to recommend year-round protection as something you may want to consider

After a romp out in a long-grassed or wooded area, check your dog over

Comb through your dog regularly to check

You probably won’t see the tell-tale, generally circular skin rash on your dog, so be aware of symptoms

Symptoms for dogs are similar to those in humans: lethargy, arthritis (often shown in shifting from foot to foot and lameness), fever, lack of appetite, fatigue, neurological problems and kidney damage. Nice, huh?

Young ticks are most active in the spring

Your vet has access to a reliable blood test. So if your vet suggests testing for Lyme, it’s a good idea

Dogs can be vaccinated against Lyme disease; it’s a relatively new vaccine though. If you’re planning on being out of town with your dog and are worried that it may be a high risk area for ticks, call the local vet and ask what about their practice for defence

Like Dr. Reeve-Newson, Dr. Lindsay Patterson of Rosedale-Moore Park Vet suggests you talk to your vet about Bravecto an every-three-month chewable tablet that kills black-legged ticks and will defend your household from a carrier that drops off your dog and climbs onto you or your family.

How to you remove a tick? What do you do with the little freak?

If you find a tick on your dog, you’ll want to get some rubber gloves and some fine-tipped tweezers. Don’t squeeze or burn it off.

Grab it as close to the skin as possible; then pull the tick away from your dog’s skin gently but firmly. Make sure you’ve got the whole thing; anything left behind could lead to an infection.

Clean the skin with an antiseptic. Clean the tweezers and your hands thoroughly, too.

Give Rover a treat. He earned it.

Take a photo of the area and monitor it for continued irritation or infection.

We hope this leaves you ticked-off . . . uh . . . you know what we mean.